Chief Election Commissioner Shahabuddin Yakoob Quraishi, the first Muslim to hold the position, called the process of allowing expatriate to vote a “complex issue.”

“But we are trying hard to know how it can be worked out,” he added. “The Indian diaspora includes both non-resident Indians (NRIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), but we are trying at the moment to extend voting rights to NRIs only.”

He said the number of NRIs who could be eligible to vote is over 15 million. Quraishi made his comments at Sir Syed Day, a function organized every year by the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Associ-ation, (AMUOBA) Riyadh chapter.

Quraishi also announced that India has named Jan. 25 National Voters Day, which is the date the Election Comm-ission of India was formed. The day will be marked by the distribution of voter IDs to all Indian citizens who turned 18 in the previous calendar year. He said the move is aimed at encouraging political participation among the country's youths, whose turnout on election day is historically low.

Regarding Muslim participation in the election process of India, Quraishi called on the estimated 150 million Muslims who are eligible to vote to utilize their right in India's democratic institutions.

India's general elections are held every five years unless the prime minister successfully petitions the president for earlier elections. 

Indian Ambassador Talmiz Ahmed presided over event, while senior journalist and TV commentator Saeed Naqvi was the guest of honor. The event, attended by some 500 men and women, mainly old AMU alumni, was hosted by Mohammad Zaigham Khan, AMUOBA president, Suhail Ahmed, vice president, and Taquiddin Mir, general secretary.

In his presidential note, the ambassador spoke about the late Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, founder of the AMU, saying that he was a great visionary leader and “in many ways, ahead of his times.”

“There is much more for the Muslims to do,” said Naqvi.

Ambassador Ahmed, Quraishi and Naqvi were presented with mementos and flower bouquets by AMUOBA office bearers. Quraishi, on behalf of AMUOBA, presented a memento to journalist K.N. Wasif, who works for Indian and Saudi newspapers.